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King County road crews hope to
speed up winter response time

The King County Roads Services Division always tries to stay one step ahead of the natural elements when it comes to dealing with rain, snow, ice and wind. And this winter, division crews have new equipment that should help speed up response times to keep roads safe for motorists.

 “Our road maintenance crews have a great track record of keeping roads clear of snow, ice and fallen trees during stormy weather,” said Linda Dougherty, Road Services Division director. “Now, we have some new gear that will help them get the right equipment and materials out of the yard and on the road more quickly. This will make our 24/7 response efforts even better, whether we’re dealing with floods, ice, snow, or wind.”

Last month, six new “swaploader” trucks were delivered to the Roads Division. Each has a chassis with an open bed that allows multiple types of equipment to be mounted on the truck. Equipment attachments include a water tank, dump box, anti-icer, and sander. The quick-change nature of the equipment allows the attachments to be loaded by a single individual in record time. It also makes the inventory of equipment at each of the county’s 10 maintenance yards much more versatile, and eliminates some of the time waiting for specialized pieces of equipment to be moved around the county.

The Road Services Division starts preparing for winter well before the bad weather hits. Snow and ice removal equipment is positioned at ten maintenance offices throughout the county. The county’s inventory of equipment includes nine graders and 27 truck-mounted snowplows/sanders, which also includes the versatile swaploaders.

County crews are responsible for maintaining approximately 2,568 miles of roadway. This includes contract services provided to the cities of SeaTac, Burien, Woodinville, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Covington, Sammamish and Kenmore.

When snowfall is significant, all road crews will be placed on split shifts to provide around-the-clock coverage. Although road crews have already received their snow removal route assignments, some of those workers can be shifted to other parts of the county if necessary.

Again this season, the Roads Division will have about 27,000 cubic yards of sand and 156 tons of salt immediately available for snow and ice operations. Stockpiles of sand and salt are located at maintenance sites throughout the county.

The overall goal is to provide the safest possible driving conditions for the public. Primary snow removal routes include:

·         Major arterials;
·         Metro Transit and school bus routes;
·         Emergency routes (i.e. hospital access roads); and
·         Access roads to freeways and park-and-ride lots.

Many residents are unaware of how icy county roads can be, especially during the early morning and late evening hours. Dougherty cautioned all motorists to be aware of driving conditions before they leave home during the bad-weather months.

She also urged residents to do their own part now to prepare for winter-weather driving. That means keeping an eye on the weather, checking the tires, and having the right supplies on hand at work, home and in the car.

As the county works hard to keep roads clear of snow and ice, motorists should familiarize themselves with these basic winter driving tips:

·         Allow ample time to reach your destination;
·         Equip your vehicle with all-season tires and carry tire chains;
·         If you must abandon your vehicle, park it clear of travel lanes to allow
      sanding trucks to get through. Cars left in travel lanes may be towed
      and impounded;
·         Dress for the weather in case you become stranded and have to
      walk;
·         Use caution when following a snowplow or sander by allowing at
      least two car lengths distance;
·         Caution children about the dangers of sledding on hilly streets.

Residents are also encouraged to report problems on roads in unincorporated King County by calling (206) 296-8100, or 1-800-KC ROADS if they live outside the greater Seattle calling area.

In addition to the traditional weather advisories broadcast on television and radio, there are several online Websites that provide up-to-the-minute information or storm readiness advice:

·         Emergency advisories regionwide
·         Local road closures and conditions
·         King County traffic cameras
·         “Taking Winter By Storm” preparedness topics:

Updated:  November 10, 2005

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